Sinead Maguire (43) with an address of Bayview Avenue in North Strand, Dublin, died after the car she was travelling in crashed into a pole in Fairview in the early hours of yesterday morning.

It is understood that the car was being pursued at a distance by a garda car when it smashed into a pole

The car crashed at the Malahide Road and Clontarf Road junction in Fairview at 1.52am yesterday.

'Today God gained such a beautiful, loving, funny angel," a cousin said in a Facebook tribute last night.

"Words can't describe how we're all feeling now Sinead we loved you so much'

The fatal incident was referred to the garda ombudsman by the Garda Commissioner. Such incidents are investigated when it is believed that the conduct of a garda may have resulted in the death, or serious injury, of a person.

The driver of the car, a 26-year-old male, is fighting for his life in Beaumont Hospital.

There was another passenger in the car, a 20-year-old male. He was taken to St James's Hospital and his condition is described as serious but stable.

A post-mortem was carried out on the woman and her name was released by the gardai last night. The car was almost completely destroyed in the crash. The passengers had to be cut out of the vehicle such was the extent of the damage.

Sinn Fein councillor Janice Boylan said it was "just heartbreaking".

A neighbour of Ms Maguire described the crash as an "absolute and utter tragedy."

"Today God gained such a beautiful, loving, funny angel. Words can't describe how we're all feeling now Sinead we loved you so much," read a Facebook tribute from a cousin last night.

Gardai have asked motorists to slow down as the Bank Holiday weekend approaches. Last night GSOC said that the "investigation is ongoing," and anyone with information is asked to call 1890 600 800.

In a separate incident, a 21-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on the N81 Blessington Road.